nyse euronext. unlocking the world's potential. since ameriprise financial was founded back in 1894, they've been committed to putting clients first. helping generations through tough times. good times. never taking a bailout. there when you need them. helping millions of americans over the centuries. the strength of a global financial leader. the heart of a one-to-one relationship. together for your future. ♪ >>> if congress and the president can reach a deal on averting the fiscal cliff it may well mean higher taxes for the wealthiest americans. cnn political editor paul steinhauser explains what that means. >> hey, joe. raising taxes on high earning americans is the biggest sticking point between president obama and congressional republicans as they try to hammer out a deal to avert the country falling off the fiscal cliff. >> let's allow higher rates to go up for the top 2%. by doing that alone we raise almost trz z $2 trillion. >> increasing rates will hit small businesses that produce 60 to 70% of the new jobs in our countr